NEILSON BANISHES MIDWEEK DEMONS

Hearts defender Robbie Neilson insists the bitter memories of the midweek defeat by Rangers have already been exorcised by the playing squad.

The controversial end to the game saw a late penalty awarded for the Light Blues, while Jambos' winger Saulius Mikoliunas and Gers striker Dado Prso saw red.

Lithuanian Mikoliunas is now facing a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing for barging linesman Andy Davis, who awarded the penalty.

And Hearts have asked the SFA to investigate the decision reached by linesman Davis and referee Hugh Dallas.

But Neilson maintains the disappointment of loss at Tynecastle will have faded completely when Hearts take to the field at Dunfermline tomorrow.

He told Hearts News: "We were obviously disappointed.

"Having equalised after 87 minutes, to then lose out to a late penalty meant the boys were devastated.

"But it's all part of football and you've just got to get on with it."

He added: "The mood in the dressing room is good now.

"Even though we lost on Wednesday, I know it was a really good performance and there were a lot of positives to be taken from it.

"In our three previous matches, we'd had a good game, then a bad game, and then a game that was half-and-half against Livingston.

"But I thought for the majority of the game on Wednesday we played really well, passed the ball really well, and we'll take a lot of confidence from that.

"We know in ourselves that we did well, and the boys know individually that they played well, so we're in a good frame of mind for our next game."

The 24-year-old concedes the synthetic surface at East End Park is not to his taste.

But Neilson recognises it is another test to be dealt with by the Jambos.

He said: "It is not the ideal surface to play on but you just need to get on with it.

"We did well the last time we played there and have generally done okay there in recent games."

But the defender is determined to see his team increase the pressure on third-placed Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, who play host to Celtic on Sunday.

Neilson said: "If I am honest, then yes, you do look at the games your main rivals are playing and hope to cash in on any slip-ups.

"Hibs are playing Celtic on Sunday, and we know if we can go there tomorrow and get the win, then it will put them under a bit of added pressure.

"At this stage of the season, a draw is no good to us.

"We've closed the gap on Hibs in recent weeks and have then lost a silly game while Hibs have picked up points.

"It's time for us to string a good run together. We've managed to do that in recent seasons towards the end of the season and it obviously helps. Hopefully, we can start that run tomorrow."

Taken from sportinglife.com